LGA Special Interest Group Annual Report to LGA Leadership Board

| SIG Name: | New Nuclear Local Authorities Group (NNLAG) | |-----------|---------------------------------------------| | Lead Member: | Councillor Geoff Holdcroft – Deputy Leader Suffolk Coastal District Council | | Lead Officer: | Katherine Potts – Project Manager, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, Suffolk County Council/Suffolk Coastal District Council. |

**Aim**

NNLAG’s primary aim is to share knowledge, information and best practice regarding new nuclear, and to provide a mechanism for local authorities, as elected representatives of local areas, to discuss and make representations direct to Government regarding the development of new nuclear and of nuclear-related connection/transmission projects.

**Key Activities / Outcomes of work undertaken**

1. In accordance with our Terms of Reference (revised 2015-16), Cllr Geoff Holdcroft was elected as Chairman of NNLAG at the NNLAG Spring conference in March 2016. He is expected to serve for a period of 2 years.

2. During 2016-17 we held officer meetings in June 2016, Nov 2016 and March 2017. These take forward the sharing of knowledge and information as the new nuclear build picture emerges nationally, we have also sought an NNLAG view on certain issues that are raised by government.

3. The coordination of the group has also moved with the Chairmanship. Suffolk County and Suffolk Coastal District Council now coordinate the group. The coordinator charges members an annual fee to cover the costs of organising and administering the group. The fee for 2016-17 was £500.

4. There are work streams established in the Group, to allow those members with specific expertise and issues to exchange information and keep up to date with emerging policies or changes. These include: Community Benefit, Resourcing, Infrastructure, Economic Development, GDA and Housing and Accommodation. Much of this information is shared using the Knowledge Hub site.

5. The group have written to central Government on several issues of common interest. – for example Community Benefit, and the decision regarding the final investment decision on Hinkley.

6. A successful Spring conference was organised in March 2017, hosted by Copeland Borough Council in West Cumbria. Councillors and Officers heard from a wide range of speakers and from senior officials at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy. Links between NNLAG and BEIS are now stronger.